Methods and apparatuses for treating waste water

Abstract

Novel methods and apparatuses are disclosed for the treatment of wastewater to reduce often associated offensive odors by promoting aerobic conditions through decreasing the amount of oxygen required to maintain aerobic cultures and/or aerobic biological activity in the wastewater.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for treating wastewater comprising the steps of: 
       providing a source of wastewater contaminated with a solid material;  
       providing a screen in the wastewater flow path;  
       screening the wastewater to remove a first portion of the solids, wherein the screen dewaters the solid material retained by the screen;  
       moving the screened wastewater to a clarifier;  
       classifying the wastewater to settle a second portion of solids at the bottom of said clarifier; and  
       moving said second portion of the settled solids to said screen which further removes and dewaters a portion of the solid material from the wastewater.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of screening the wastewater and dewatering the solid material is performed at least partially with at least one elevated screen separation device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the screen separation device is at an angle of inclination from horizontal. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of treating the wastewater with at least one chemical. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of treating the wastewater with at least one chemical prior to said screening of the wastewater. 
     
     
       6. A method for the treatment of wastewater to prevent an anaerobic lagoon by reducing solids in wastewater comprising the steps of: 
       providing a lagoon;  
       providing a source of wastewater contaminated with a solid material;  
       providing a screen in the wastewater flow path;  
       screening the wastewater to remove a first portion of the solids, wherein the screen dewaters the solid material retained by the screen;  
       moving the screened wastewater to a clarifier;  
       classifying the wastewater to settle a second portion of solids at the bottom of said clarifier; and  
       moving said second portion of settled solids to said screen which screens the wastewater contaminated with a solid material.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising conveying the wastewater to at least one lagoon. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein the lagoon is aerated. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of treating the wastewater with at least one chemical. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of treating the wastewater with at least one chemical prior to said screening of the wastewater. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for the treatment of wastewater comprising: 
       at least one elevated screen separation device downstream from a wastewater source capable of separating and dewatering a first solid material from said wastewater;  
       a clarifier system with at least one clarifier connected downstream of the elevated screen separation device capable of removing a second solid material from the wastewater; and  
       means to convey said second solid material to said at least one elevated screen.  
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11  further comprising at least one trolley for collecting the screened portion of the solid material retained by the screen. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for the treatment of wastewater comprising: 
       at least one screen separation device downstream from a wastewater source capable of separating and dewatering a first solid material from said wastewater;  
       a clarifier system with at least one clarifier connected downstream of the screen separation device capable of removing a second solid material from the wastewater; and  
       means to convey said second solid material to said at least one screen.  
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13  further comprising at least one trolley for collecting the screened portion of the solid material retained by the screen.